Glacier National Park, located in the northwest region of Montana, is one of the most revered and popular national parks in the United States. Established in 1910, this park is a breathtaking landscape shaped by ancient glaciers. It boasts mountain ranges, alpine meadows, dense forests, cascading waterfalls, 25 shimmering glaciers, and 200 pristine lakes. This region is also deeply rooted in the history of the Blackfeet, Pend d'Oreille, Salish, and Kootenai people. The Kootenai traditionally referred to the area as Ya·qawiswit̓xuki, meaning "the place where there is a lot of ice." The park also extends into Canada, connecting with Waterton Lakes National Park and forming part of the Continental Divide.

Wildlife is one of Glacier National Park’s most captivating attractions. The park is home to a diverse array of species, including bats, beavers, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats, wolverines, and bears. The vistas along Going-To-The-Sun Road are simply awe-inspiring. Despite covering 1,600 square miles, there are relatively few miles of road within the park, helping to preserve its pristine beauty. Each year, around three million visitors come to hike its trails, observe its wildlife, and find tranquility in its remote areas. Many also aim to experience the 50-mile journey along Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Viewing a glacier can be challenging, as most are situated high on the Continental Divide. At the end of the Little Ice Age around 1850, there were about 80 glaciers in the area that would become Glacier National Park. As of 2015, aerial imagery identified 26 named glaciers that met the size criteria, a decrease of nine since 1966. Global warming has accelerated glacier melt; between 1966 and 2015, all 26 named glaciers in the park shrank, with some losing as much as 80% of their area, though the average loss was 40%. Predictions once suggested all the park’s glaciers would be gone by 2020, but thankfully, that prediction was inaccurate, and our family was able to see seven glaciers with our own eyes. However, it's saddening to think they may all melt within our lifetime. The easiest glacier to see is Jackson Glacier, accessible from Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Tips

There are few dining options inside the park, so pack a reliable cooler with meals and snacks.
Fill up your gas tank before entering the park, as you’ll spend a lot of time driving.
Glacier National Park is vast, and it can take a long time to travel between attractions due to crowds and speed limits.
Wifi is spotty or nonexistent in the park, so print or screenshot maps and information beforehand.
Be prepared for significant temperature changes between lower and higher elevations. Even on warm days, pack layers.
Bring binoculars for wildlife spotting—keeping a safe distance from animals, especially bears, is crucial.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park’s most scenic thoroughfare, is 50 miles long and takes about two hours to drive. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep, goats, and bears along the way. This scenic route passes by glacial lakes, waterfalls, observation points, and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, the highest point on the road.

Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park at a Glance

Guided Hike on Highline Trail with Glacier Guides
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Logan Pass Visitor Center and Hidden Lake Overlook
Hike Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Lake
Visit Lake McDonald
Stop by Historic Lake McDonald Lodge
Hike Virginia Falls
Visit Many Glacier Region
Stop by the Many Glacier Hotel
Go Whitewater Rafting with Glacier Guides or Great Northern Rafting
Visit West Glacier Village for Shopping and Mini-Golf
Take a Red Bus Tour
Take a Boat Ride on One of Glacier’s Many Lakes
Shop and Dine in Whitefish
Visit Whitefish Beach and Flathead Lake
Ride the Alpine Slides at Whitefish Ski Resort
Visit Apgar Village

We had high hopes to check more of these attractions off our list, but we still managed to experience close to half of them!

Glacier Day 1

Since we had homeschool in the morning, our time to explore the park was limited. We decided to take a Red Bus Tour, and it turned out to be the highlight of our visit to Glacier National Park! These interpretive tours are a fantastic way to uncover the deeper significance and history of the park.

The famous Red Buses, with their vintage 1930s charm, are an iconic part of Glacier’s heritage. These buses are not just transportation—they are a connection to the human history of the park. With much of Glacier’s scenery being vertically oriented, the roll-back tops of the buses offer perfect, unobstructed views of the stunning mountains and the area’s signature Big Sky.

Our guide was a seasoned park veteran, passionate about Glacier and eager to share that passion with visitors. The depth of knowledge and love for the park that the guides bring really enhances the experience. There are several tours to choose from, including Two Medicine Lake, West Alpine, East Alpine, Many Glacier, or a tour of Swiftcurrent Lake and Josephine Lake.

Our tour guide was truly spectacular, providing us with insightful information about the land and the park’s history. Experiences like this are invaluable for learning; not only did I find it educational, but my kids did too. The tour also helped us get a sense of the park’s layout and identify areas we wanted to explore more thoroughly in the following days.

Glacier Day 2

On our second day, we focused on exploring the first 18 miles of Going-to-the-Sun Road and hiked the Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Lake.

We entered Glacier National Park via the West Entrance and started our drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Our first stop was Apgar Village, located just 2 miles into the drive. Here, there are kayak and paddleboard rentals, perfect for enjoying the beautiful Lake McDonald. We spent some time at the shore, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountain range.

Afterward, we treated ourselves to coffee and ice cream at Eddie’s Cafe before visiting the Apgar Nature Center, open from 10 am to 4 pm. The center is nestled among the cedar trees in Apgar Village and offers a variety of kid-friendly, hands-on interactive activities and displays, making it a great stop for families.

Next, we visited the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, a charming Swiss-chalet-style park lodge located directly on Lake McDonald. My kids loved this rocky beach. They made ‘dams’ out of rocks among the many small creeks trying to make their way to Lake McDonald. The water was gorgeous and calm. I loved that you could see the reflections of the mountains in the lake. The lodge also serves as a launch point for one of Glacier Park Boat Company’s scenic boat tours. Additionally, there’s a walk-up counter where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, rowboats, or even an 8hp motorboat.

We then embarked on the Trail of the Cedars hike, a 0.9-mile, easy, flat loop trail that takes about an hour to complete. This heavily trafficked trail is located 5 miles east of Lake McDonald Lodge and offers plenty of scenic beauty. One of the highlights of the trail is a footbridge over Avalanche Creek, which provides a spectacular view of the lower Avalanche Gorge. Just past this point, you can either finish the Trail of the Cedars loop or take the junction to the Avalanche Lake Trail.

We chose to continue on a portion of the Avalanche Lake Trail. The full hike is a 4.5-mile round-trip hike that takes about 3 hours. The trail is rated as moderate, with a steep ascent, but the incredible views make it well worth the effort. The trail is full of boulders to climb and logs to jump on, which kept our kids engaged throughout the hike. The final destination—Avalanche Lake—is breathtaking, with a gorgeous mountainous backdrop and several massive waterfalls cascading in the distance.

Redrock was one of our favorite stops in Glacier National Park. After a short walk through the forest, we were greeted by rushing waterfalls on one side and a brightly colored, crystal-clear plunge pool on the other. The large rock formations in the area are perfect for exploring, and the shallow waters are ideal for skipping small, smooth rocks. This spot was a highlight of our day, offering both adventure and tranquility.

Glacier Day 3

On our third day in Glacier National Park, we focused on the latter half of Going-to-the-Sun Road (miles 18-50), hiked to the Hidden Lake Overlook, and explored the St. Mary area.

We entered Glacier National Park via the West Entrance and picked up where we left off from Day 1, continuing our journey along Going-to-the-Sun Road. The drive offered breathtaking sights, including the West Tunnel, The Loop, Heaven’s Peak, Haystack, and Bird Woman Falls.

After passing Logan Pass, we made several popular stops along the road, such as Lunch Creek, Jackson Glacier Overlook, Sun Point, and Wild Goose Island Overlook.

Logan Pass
Located at the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road (6,646 feet), Logan Pass is a must-see destination during your visit. However, due to its popularity, finding a parking spot here can be challenging. The Logan Pass Visitor Center is a great place to stop and learn more about the park.

Hidden Lake Overlook Hike
Behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center, we began the 2.7-mile Hidden Lake Overlook hike. This trail is moderately difficult, with steep elevation gains and exposure to the elements. The hike offers stunning views of alpine meadows and frequent wildlife sightings. We opted to hike only the first portion, as we were unprepared for the 30-degree temperature drop at higher elevations. If you complete the entire hike, you’ll be rewarded with a view from 500 feet above Hidden Lake, along with a glimpse of Sperry Glacier.

St. Mary/Baring Falls Hike
After our hike, we explored the St. Mary area. We visited the St. Mary Visitor Center, where we watched a 15-minute park film, browsed exhibits, and participated in ranger-led programs. We also stopped by the St. Mary Gift Shop, located in the Main Lodge of St. Mary Resort just outside the park, where we indulged in huckleberry ice cream, steamers, and pastries—an absolute must-try!

Whitefish

Our RV site was just 10 minutes from Whitefish, a charming mountain town known for its shimmering lake, towering peaks, and extensive trail systems. Named one of the "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World" by National Geographic, Whitefish is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and at the base of Big Mountain, home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. The resort, located just 4 miles from town, offers over 3,000 acres of land for biking, hiking, skiing, and features Montana’s Alpine Slide. Though we only had an evening to visit Whitefish, it left a lasting impression. Central Avenue is filled with shops, though many close at 6 pm. We dined at Mama Blanca’s, where even Drew, who is accustomed to excellent Tex-Mex, was impressed by the salsa. If you visit Glacier National Park, you must set aside at least a full day to explore Whitefish—I wish we had more time!

Visitor Centers

There are three visitor centers in Glacier National Park, each offering a unique experience. We visited all three: St. Mary on the east side, Apgar on the west side, and Logan Pass at the top. My kids’ favorite was the Logan Pass Visitor Center. All three offer Passport stamps and souvenirs.

Other Noteworthy Activities and Hikes We Missed

In the Many Glacier area, there are several family-friendly activities that we didn’t get a chance to experience. These include walking the 2.3-mile Swiftcurrent Nature Loop around Swiftcurrent Lake, hiking the 2-mile uphill trail to Apikuni Falls, and going horseback riding with Swan Mountain Outfitters. You can also visit the historic Many Glacier Hotel and browse the Grizzly Track Traders Gift Shop.

Additional activities we didn’t have time for include more hiking, horseback riding, and rafting adventures in the park.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Glacier Peaks RV in Columbia Falls, just 20 minutes from the west entrance of the park. This RV park offers 60 spacious spots, blending comfort with adventure. The park includes amenities such as a playground, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. For those without RVs, there are deluxe cabins and sleeper cabins available. The park’s proximity to Glacier National Park, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Kalispell made it a convenient and peaceful retreat surrounded by majestic trees and offering captivating views of the mountains.

Reservation System and Park Pass

From May 24 to September 8, vehicle reservations are required for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork between 6 am and 3 pm. From July 1 to September 8, vehicle reservations are also required for Many Glacier during the same hours. Each location requires a separate reservation. We managed to secure vehicle passes for each day we visited by booking them the night before at 7 pm. Passes go quickly, so it's important to be ready to book at that time. You also need to purchase a standard entrance pass for $35 or an America the Beautiful Pass for $80, which is worth it if you plan to visit national parks more than three times a year.

Glacier National Park